Curtis R. Klima

Curtis Ray Klima was born July 22, 1945, in Belleville, Kansas, to Milo J. (Mike) and Arlene Mae (Junek) Klima. He passed away April 13, 2024, at his home in Belleville at the age of 78.

He was united in marriage to Mary Ann Hruza on November 27, 1965. He and Mary Ann celebrated 58 years of marriage together. He graduated from Belleville High School in 1963, and attended Fort Hays State University. He was a star football and basketball athlete all through high school. 

After school, he worked at his father’s auto body shop, Mike’s Body Shop, and eventually purchased the business from him in 1981.  He went on to operate the business for 38 years until retiring and selling the business in 2019.

Curtis, and his father Mike, were lifelong auto body repairmen and racing enthusiasts.  His first race car was driving a 1965 Chevelle, racing at regional drag race events.  Dirt track racing has been the family’s passion for decades, where Renn Allsman & Howard Spitler drove dirt late models for the family while Curtis and his dad maintained the cars doing the engine building and pit crew tasks.  The family dirt track tradition continued as his son, Darrick, raced mini-stocks, modifieds, and late models from the late 1980’s to the present.  Curtis and Mary Ann enjoyed going to tracks across the country helping pit crew and watching races with their friends.

Curtis continued his “hobby” of auto body repair, driving to Salina 5 days a week to work with Darrick at his business, Collision Pros, even after officially retiring from running his own shop in downtown Belleville.  Despite years of headaches, back pain and two surgeries, he was still working up until the day he passed away.  

In his earlier years, Curtis enjoyed camping and boating trips to the lake, fishing, and hunting with friends and family.  He was an avid long time bowler, sponsoring the Mike’s Body Shop team, and enjoyed his Tuesday nights with the guys.  Curtis and Mary Ann enjoyed their day trips to the casino with their close friends. 

He was a member of the Belleville Volunteer Fire Department for over 10 years.  His passion for racing spilled over into his volunteer work preparing the track for summer events at the Belleville High Banks where he served for over 20 years.  He enjoyed his time helping prepare the track and spending time with his Fair Board friends.   

He is survived by his wife Mary Ann of the home, son Darrick of Salina, and sister-in-law Janet Kauer (Robert/Bob) of Belleville. He was preceded in death by his parents Milo J. (Mike) Klima in 2001 and Arlene Mae (Junek) Klima in 1988.

He chose cremation, and a Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.

Memorials are requested to the Belleville High Banks to benefit the “Ron Huncovsky Classic”, when the USAC Midgets and Silver Crown cars race May 17-18, 2024. Memorials may be sent to Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, PO Box 566, Belleville, Kansas, 66935.

Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home is assisting the Klima family with arrangements, www.tibbettsfischerfuneralhome.com